English Paper Piecing - Liberty Stars Quilt - Part 3

... and a finished quilt!

Oh my goodness, I have finished another English paper pieced quilt. I love English paper piecing (EPP) and wish that I could prop myself on the couch with my EPP projects and allow myself the luxury to sew slow, all day, every day. But slow sewing doesn't fit in with what it takes to keep my business moving along and so I squeeze in working on my EPP in the evenings ... and way into the early hours of the morning. It's actually the best time of the day, with the house quiet, the now already 1 year old puppy resting quietly, and the TV ready with catch up movies and shows.

The "stars" of my Liberty Stars quilt feature all Liberty of London Tana Lawn fabrics, both printed and plain/solids. It is always a pleasure to work with Liberty Tana Lawn and I have no hesitation recommending these fabrics for your EPP projects. The grey background fabric (hexagons) is a shotcotton by Oakshott fabrics which is another luxury fabric and these two fabric bases work perfectly together. The needle and thread glided through the fabric layers with ease, and both fabrics withstood the glue basting and paper removal process much better than I could have anticipated.

The quilt has been quilted by professional long arm quilter Karen Terrens from Quilt on Bastings (Karen is my sister), and I think she has done a wonderful job; featuring a chain of free-hand daisy like designs on the grey background fabric which has been repeated throughout, adding detail and interest in a restrained and orderly manner.

For the back of the quilt I have continued the all Liberty theme by using a single Liberty Tana Lawn fabric called Feather Fields in A (blue).

I also decided to also use the same fabric for the quilt binding - using the off-cuts from the trimmed quilt to piece the binding. I usually machine stitch the binding but for this quilt I thought it might be nice to hand slip stitch the binding and take time to reflect on the process, and the many hours of work that have gone into the making of this quilt.

QUILT DETAILS

Liberty Stars Quilt

The finished quilt measures 57 inches x 71 inches.

127 Liberty Star Units + 10 Liberty Half Star Units.
Papers used:
804 Diamonds (Six Pointed Star) with 1 3/4 inch sides.
270 Hexagons with 1 3/4 inch sides.
Papers available from Tales of Cloth:
Hexagons 
Diamonds
Notions/Tools Used for English Paper Piecing:
Acrylic templates with a 3/8" seam allowance for cutting fabrics.
Water Soluble Basting Glue - Sewline.
Straw Needles - Size 11.
The Bottom Line 60wt thread by Superior Threads.

Fabrics Used for Star Units:

Liberty of London Tana Lawn and

Liberty of London Tana Lawn - Plain/Solid

Background Fabric - Hexagons:

Oakshott Cotton :: Scandinavia in Stockholm

[The quilt top was sewn together in vertical rows - there are eleven vertical rows of stars. I first laid out all of the Star Units and arranged and rearranged the units until I was happy with the layout. I then picked up the Star units in rows and in order, placed each row in a zip lock bag, and simply started by joining the units of row 1 together with hexagons. And repeat for row 2 and onwards.]

This quilt has been sold. I know some of my readers may find it hard to understand how I can part with a quilt that I have spend so many hours making. The pleasure of the making was all mine, and I was fortunate to have a client who understood the process and the value of handmade. I know this quilt will be equally valued by my client and enjoyed for many more years to come. There are no regrets. I am already thoroughly enjoying my next EPP project!

Thank you for stopping by,
Rita

Click on any image for a larger view.

See more photos and read about the progress of this quilt here:

Liberty Stars Quilt - Part 1 (September 2017)

Liberty Stars Quilt - Part 2 (December 2017)

Liberty Tana Lawn available from:

Alice Caroline - plain/solid Tana Lawn also available.

Bobbie Lou's Fabric Factory

Jones & Vandermeer 

Pink Castle Fabrics 

English Paper Pieces available from:

Tales of Cloth ~

Hexagons

Diamonds

More RPQ English Paper Pieced Quilts:

Floral Hexagon Quilt 

Liberty Stars Pillow Cover

The Daisy Chain Quilt

Sewing School Hexagon Quilt

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COPYRIGHT: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission. This is original content from www.redpepperquilts.com.

Sunday Stash #420 Orchard Kitchen by Lecien

ORCHARD KITCHEN BY LECIEN

The Orchard Kitchen collection has arrived and I was rather pleased to add these to my fabric stash. Orchard Kitchen is a sister collection for the previously released Flower Sugar collections also by Lecien and similarities in design and color palette are noted. 

Orchard Kitchen - Large Fruit Toss

Orchard Kitchen - Fruit Blocks 

The Orchard Kitchen collection is all about sweet juicy fruit that you can be creative with in the kitchen, in a vintage and happy color palette of strawberry, rainier cherry, pear, mint, blueberry, cheesecake, and chocolate!

Orchard Kitchen - Stripe/Dot

Orchard Kitchen - Fruit Toss

The collection consists of 18 fabrics ~ four unique printed designs each available in up to 6 different colorways. The designs range from medium to small scale floral prints and includes a dot/stripe fabric that is a perfect stash basic. I am also rather fond of the medium scale floral and fruit block/check (pictured above).

ORCHARD KITCHEN BY LECIEN is available from:
The Fat Quarter Shop

SPONSOR NEWS

Expired coupon codes and sales information have been deleted.

Duckadilly  2019 Classic Liberty of London fabrics now available. Reworked and recolored, the new classic prints are inspired by some of Liberty's most recongizable styles: Art Nouveau, ditsy florals, and historical details.

I Love Fabric  Just in: Paper Cuts by Rashida Coleman Hale for Cotton + Steel, Gleaned by Carolyn Friedlander, and Sun Print 2018 by Alison Glass.

Enjoy Sunday!
Rita

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COPYRIGHT and DISCLOSURE: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission. I have personally selected (and purchased) all featured Sunday Stash fabrics/products, unless clearly stated otherwise. This is original content from www.redpepperquilts.com.

Outback Wife - Courthouse Steps Quilt - A Finished Quilt

QUILT DETAILS

Outback Wife - Courthouse Steps Quilt

The finished quilt measures 60 inches x 60 inches.

36 Courthouse Steps Blocks - 6 rows of 6 blocks.

FEATURED FABRIC:

Outback Wife 2017 by Gertrude Made and

Essentials by Gertrude Made

both collections for Ella Blue Fabrics

BATTING:

Low loft cotton batting.

BINDING:

Checkers in Black by Cotton + Steel (yarn dyed woven

gingham fabric).

Well, I am rather chuffed with how this quilt turned out! There were several things that could have gone horribly wrong with this quilt but thankfully it all went to plan. The heavier weight fabric and quilt top created no problems when quilting it (other than having to heave more weight through the machine, again and again - an excellent upper body work out!) and the quilt back lined up remarkably well.  I have lots of photos to share with you today ~

Click on any image for a larger view.

The quilt is quilted with edge to edge straight lines ~ first ditch stitching the horizontal and vertical seam lines of the Courthouse Steps Blocks, then adding additional lines at 1 inch intervals, and finally adding one set of diagonal lines that intersect in the center and corners of the blocks. 

I have used Aurifil 28wt thread (the gray spool) for quilting (28wt top thread - 40wt thread in the bobbin).This is a heavier weight thread which makes the stitches stand out and adds another point of interest. The stitches are long and the thread weight heavier/thicker than I would normally use, which complements the heavier weight fabrics used to make the quilt and gives the stitch greater definition.

For the binding I have used a yarn-dyed gingham fabric (Checkers in Black by Cotton + Steel) which I think worked well with the overall vibe of this quilt and the fabric collections used.

This quilt is available for purchase from 
my Etsy Store.

See the listing details here:
OUTBACK WIFE - COURTHOUSE STEPS QUILT

As always, thank you for stopping by and scrolling through all the photos.

I am ready to start a new project!
Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Red Pepper Quilts Etsy Store
Outback Wife - Courthouse Steps Quilt - Work in Progress
Sunday Stash - Outback Wife 2017
Sunday Stash - Essentials by Gertrude Made
Outback Wife Quilt - April 2017
Gertrude Made
Ella Blue Fabrics

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COPYRIGHT and DISCLOSURE: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission. Outback Wife 2017 and Essentials by Gertrude Made fabric bundles kindly supplied by Cathi Bessell-Browne and Ella Blue Fabrics. This is original content from www.redpepperquilts.com.

Sunday Stash #419 Bug City by Jodie Carleton and a Giveaway!

Bug City by Jodie Carleton

for Ella Blue Fabrics

Bug City is Jodie Carleton's most recent fabric collection for Ella Blue Fabrics - and follows the popular Bunny Trail, Cat's Pyjamas, Backyard Circus collections and more! Jodie wears many hats including school librarian, toy maker, toy pattern designer (more than 50 toy patterns are available from Jodie's online pattern store), blogger, social media enthusiast, and fabric designer for Ella Blue Fabrics. You might also like to check out Jodie's sewing related enamel pins (available from Jodie's Etsy Store).

The Bug City collection features five unique designs each released in up to five different color ways. The colors are pastel soft with strong contrast elements; vibrant color and strong design elements including the bold stripes (1/2" wide) pictured below. The fabrics with a white background are a sparkling white, and the prints feature bugs and beetles found often in our gardens.

BUG CITY BY JODIE CARLETON is due in stores this month!

SPONSOR NEWS:

The Fat Quarter Shop  20% off Basic of the Month: Butter Churn Basics by Kim Diehl, 20% off Notion of the Month: Quilt Dots/Magnets, 20% off Books of the Month: It's Sew Emma. Prices are as marked. Ends 31 January 2018.

Stash Fabrics  End of Season Clearance Sale! Up to 65% off 1000+ fabrics. Prices are as marked. AND 20% off Basic of the Month: Intermix Basics by Dear Stella coordinate with any project in a blend of playful brights and dreamy neutrals in five prints. Bundles and yardage available. Prices are as marked. Ends 31 January 2018.

Tales of Cloth  Mandolin Quilt Club 2018 - sign up closes 31 January 2018! Join me in making the Mandolin Quilt (English Paper Piecing)! This beautiful, intricate quilt has been broken down into bite size pieces for a fun and enjoyable experience, slow stitching a large quilt. 

Miss Matatabi Just in: Paper Cuts by Rashida Coleman Hale, Flutter by Melody Miller, and Sunshine by Alexia Abegg for Cotton + Steel. $15 flat rate international shipping for orders over $100.

I Love Fabric  Just in: Sunprint 2018 by Alison Glass and Gleaned by Carolyn Friedlander. AND End of Season Sale now on! Hundreds of designer quilting cottons reduced to clear.

The Quilted Castle  Shop the Clearance Sale! Prices start at $4/yard.

GIVEAWAY!

Jodie is kindly giving away a Fat Quarter Bundle of the Bug City collection to one lucky RPQ reader.

To be in the draw leave please a comment on this blog post. One comment per person/per email address - email me if you are not able to leave a comment (redpepperquilts at gmail dot com) and I will leave a comment on your behalf. International entries welcome!

The draw will take place at 10pm (Australia EST) on Tuesday 23 January 2018, at which time comments to this  post will be closed. The winner will be announced by edit to this blog post, and will also be contacted by email.

Thank you for all of your entries!

ENTRY HAS NOW CLOSED

====================

The winner of the Bug City Fat Quarter bundle is:

Congratulations Kirsten! Kirsten has been contacted by email.

Congratulations Jodie on the release another fun fabric collection, and thank you for allowing me to photograph and work with your fabric collection. More photos coming soon of what I have turned this bundle of fabric into.

Enjoy Sunday!
Rita

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COPYRIGHT and DISCLOSURE: Do not copy or use any content or photos from my blog without my written permission. Giveaway fabric bundle kindly supplied by Jodie Carleton and Ella Blue Fabrics. All content including photos are my own. This is original content from www.redpepperquilts.com.